How to Continue Change of Address
Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move
- When moving you must notify government agencies, insurance services, utility companies, financial institutions, memberships and important individuals
- Knowing who to notify when you move is an important step in changing apartments
- Check out our free change of address checklist and moving notice letter printables to make your transition as seamless as possible
When you are transitioning to a new home, there are a lot of moving pieces. While you're focused on packing boxes, items like changing your address with the electricity company can slip through the cracks. It's not until you reach the new home that you find yourself in the dark.
Luckily, we have a change of address checklist to help you prepare for your move. Browse through the different categories to be sure that you've contacted everyone you need to.
Who to notify when you move homes or apartments
Knowing who to notify when you move is an important step in ensuring everything goes smoothly during the moving process. Whether you're moving down the street or to a new state, you'll need to notify everyone from financial institutions to your subscription services about your relocation. Here is a list of places to contact about your upcoming move.
1. USPS
The United States Postal Service is a great place to start because it's the only way to ensure mail is forwarded to your new home. Fortunately, you can set mail forwarding up in minutes online and your mail will be transferred to your new address for up to 12 months after your scheduled move.
2. Financial institutions
Even if you have paperless billing, banks and financial institutions still send important notices through the mail.
- Banks and Investment Services: You'll need to let your bank and investment companies know about your move to get updated checks and make sure that statements and bills are sent to the correct place.
- Credit Card Companies: It's essential to change your address if you need a replacement card and to receive important notices.
- IRA/401K Administration: Don't skip the long-term accounts to avoid missing essential memos and information.
Many of these financial institutions will allow you to update your accounts online so that you can skip the in-person line.
3. Insurance
Notify the agencies that provide you with health insurance, car insurance, dental insurance and life insurance to make sure you don't have to change your policies.
- Health and Dental Insurance: If you're moving to another state, it's important to notify your insurance companies because they can deny claims for minor errors, so it is crucial to have everything updated.
- Car Insurance: Insurance prices vary depending on your state. Contact your insurance provider to make sure they provide coverage in your new location.
- Life Insurance: Similar to health insurance, coverage changes based on where you move to.
Definitely make sure this is at the top of your list to change because forgetting to update your address with insurance companies can result in a voided policy.
4. Utilities
Transfer your utilities over to your new apartment before your move to ensure you don't spend your first few nights in your new home without electricity, water, internet or other essential services.
- Water: Change your address with the water department before you move to ensure you have a refreshing shower waiting for you after a day of moving.
- Electric and Gas: They'll want to know what date you are moving and your new address so that you'll have heat and electricity when you move in.
- Internet, television and phone: Like your other utilities, let these providers know about your address change so they can send your bills to the correct mailing address and connect these services prior to you getting settled into your new apartment.
If possible, let utilities know the specific time you're planning on moving, so they don't shut off services in your old place too soon.
5. Memberships
Don't send recurring purchases to the wrong place. Update your subscription services and notify any other important organizations.
- Clubs and organizations: Update your address with places like Costco and Sam's Club so you can continue buying your products in bulk after the move.
- Religious institutions: Mention your new address to any religious institutions you're a member of so you get mailed any updates.
You should be able to update some if not all of your membership information online or over the phone.
6. Your employer
Your employer should be notified about your change of address several weeks in advance. They'll need this information to mail important documents to you, such as a paycheck or tax information.
7. DMV
You're legally required to update your vehicle registration and driver's license when you move, making this a step you won't want to miss. Before you moan and groan at the thought of waiting in line at the DMV, check to see if your state allows you to update your license address online instead.
8. Subscription services
We live in an age of subscriptions. You won't want to miss a shipment from traditional newspaper and magazine subscriptions to modern food and beauty subscriptions. Be sure to update your address with these services. These can often be easily done online.
9. Doctors and dentists
Doctors and dentists need your new home address to send you reminders for your semi-annuals and checkups. If you have pets make sure also to notify your veterinarian while you're at it!
10. Social Security and other benefits
While it is not necessary to change your address on your Social Security card, this step is important if you receive social security benefits. You can do this online or call the Social Security Administration directly.
11. The IRS
You'll need to fill out form 8822 so that the IRS can be informed of your new place of residence for tax purposes.
12. Voter registration
Your address determines the voting district and polling location you will cast your vote in on election day. Update your voter registration to ensure you go to the right spot on election day.
13. Homeowners or renters insurance
Keep your apartment or house safe with the proper insurance. If your new space has different features, you may have to change what type of coverage you have. The cost of home insurance also can vary depending on your home size and location.
14. Friends and family
Close friends and family are probably aware of your upcoming move, but many won't know your new address. Send out a quick message to those close to you, so you don't miss out on next year's Christmas cards and birthday presents!
A fun way to let your loved ones know about your move is to send a card to the important people in your life. We've included free printable change of address letters for your convenience.
We recommend sending this out the week you move into your new place so you don't miss out on any big news or invitations.
Additional tips to make changing your address easier
Whether you're relocating across the country or moving down the street, the process can be stressful. Below are some added helpful tips to making the address change process a little easier!
- Create or print out a change of address checklist
- Make the changes that you can online
- Collect your information before filling things out
- Double-check you have the correct address
- Send out a change of address notice to friends and family
In addition to these tips, we've also included extra free printables to keep you on track and organized during your upcoming move.
Printable change of address checklist
You might be feeling overwhelmed after seeing the long list of places you need to contact when you move and wondering how you can keep track of them all. Thankfully, we've created a printable change of address checklist to help make the transition as effortless as possible.
By following this change of address checklist, you can be sure that all your letters and bills reach your new home.
Moving printable stickers
Staying organized can seem almost impossible during a move. One of the best ways to keep track of important documents and stay on track with deadlines is to use a home planner or calendar.
If you use a home planner then you'll be obsessed with our free printable stickers to help you remember all of the essential steps in your moving process.
After your move, keep track of your mail. If you aren't receiving letters or bills that you should be getting, make sure that the company has your new address.
Find your perfect apartment
Moving can seem like a daunting task, but it is worth the reward of having a beautiful new apartment to call home. Try out Apartment Guide's finder tool to find your perfect rental today!
Source: https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/change-of-address-checklist/
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